The sniper is one of the most popular classes to play in TF2. Newer players tend to pick sniper over other classes simply because he is what they consider, closest to a generic first person shooter character. Sniper is indeed, closest to what a first person shooter character is but there is a lot more depth to him. His customization options are remarkably deep and can also be considered to be "edgy", he has a remarkably high skill ceiling, so newer players... Tend to not do well.

The sniper has one simple job. Assassinate key targets from a safe distance.


This guide will teach newer player tips on how to improve their sniper gameplay. We will address the types of aim and how to improve general sniper skills. This guide will assume you know atleast the basics of sniper or just want to improve

Primaries

Note: I would not be covering the Sydney Sleeper as the weapon cannot headshot. The Classic is just trash. The huntsman and its reskins completely change the sniper making this guide irrelevant.

Stock Rifle


The Stock rifle is the rifle of choice for many veteran snipers. It has perfect accuracy and can kill all classes effectively. It has no downsides but no upsides either. It is the recommended primary for all would be sniper players


Machina


- 15% more damage on fully charged shots
- Fully charged shots penetrate multiple targets
- bullets leave a trail
- cannot fire unless scoped

The Machina is a powerful rifle that rewards players with landing those charged shots. It is often dubbed the "Bodyshot Machine" This is true as newer players tend to abuse the extra damage to bodsyhot the hell out of players. However this weapon tends to promote bad habits of staying still. It is best to let the shot charge when you know you are safe and you can land that shot.


Bazaar Bargain


- Every headshot kill you land increases the charge meter rate
- starts off with 50% less charge meter rate

The Bazaar Bargain is a rifle that promotes landing those headshot kills. For newer players, this can be challenging. This weapon requires a lot of skill to get the hang of.



Hitman's Heatmaker

- Headshot kills decapitate players
- Kills and assist fill a "Focus" meter that when activated, makes the weapon glow. The weapon then fires tracer rounds, doesen't unscope after a shot, and kills constantly refill the meter.
- 20% less damage on bodyshots
- Shots are silent


I consider this weapon a viable alternative to the stock. It's downside isn't too harsh considering Snipers are suppose to land headshots anyway. The focus meter though is too gimmicky to be of any real use and is only useful if you can get constant headshots. The added silencer helps hide the kills the sniper made.

Plus, who doesen't like decapitating people?

Sniper's gameplay can be tweaked in ways that can alter his play style. The sniper has many weapons that are both unique and powerful.

These loadouts are what a good sniper should use and doesen't change his play style that much

The Stock Sniper

A loadout newer players have and some veteran players like to use.


Arguably the best of the rifles, it is the default rifle for sniper. It has perfect accuracy and will crit on headshots. A headshot from this is enough to down 5 of the 9 classes. The rifle can charge until full and when you headshot an enemy with full charge, it will be enough to down any class.

Stock SMG


The SMG has a rapid fire rate and deals low damage on each shot. This weapon is great for defending yourself when an enemy gets too close and your sniper rifle becomes ineffective. But newer snipers tend to think this as a "spray and pray" type weapon. This is not weapon suited for direct combat.



Stock Kukri


The melee weapon of choice for many snipers. It deals good damage and is best used for close quarter combat.





Every TF2 Sniper

This is the most popular loadout of choice for every sniper and is recommended that it be used for every sniper player


Stock






Jarate



This jar of piss is one of the most useful weapons in the game. When thrown, it coats the victim in piss and they take extra damage for for 8 seconds. It can also extinguish fire for both yourself and your teammates.








Bushwacka





This kukri deal crits in a situation where it mini crits. This means once you coat an enemy in jarate, instead of a mini crit you get to crit him. The perfect self defense weapon that when paired with jarate, will kill anything that comes too close

"All Your Heads are Bloody Twelve Feet Tall!"

The core of sniper gameplay is the knowledge of good aim. A sniper who can't hit any thing is not a helpful member of the team.

Settings

• Turn off mouse acceleration
  
• Don't use high sensitivity or low
  
• Make sure your FPS is high
  

Basic Tips

• Have good gamesense. What this means is your general awareness
  
• Practice a lot. Play more games to improve your aim
  
• Be patient
  
• Move around a lot. This is the biggest mistake newer players tend to make. They stay scoped in and just stay in one spot not moving. Moving around a lot helps improve your awareness and makes you harder to kill.
  
• Learn the quickscope. Don't always charge your shot. You will be caught in situations where charging a shot will cause your target to get out of your sight. Quickly aim at their head for a quick 150 dmg shot.

Aiming types

There are 3 types of aiming.

1. First is the track aim. This type of aim involves you moving your mouse and tracking your target's head until you find the perfect moment to shoot. It requires practice but is one of the key types of aiming. This is the type of aim every sniper MUST learn in order to be effective.

2. Second is the flick aim. This type of aim is involves the player flicking their mouse towards the direction of the target's head. It is generally use to hit fast moving targets and targets that get way too close for comfort. It is used as a quick reaction shot. It is the hardest type of aim and is reliant on your reaction times.

3. Third is what I call the "Prediction". It involves the player putting their crosshair on the place they think the target will go to. It is the easiest form of aiming but may take some time to get used to. This type of aim will not work if the target is moving at an unpredictable pattern.



Remember practice makes perfect. These tips are provided to help ease aim and improve general gameplay. Not everyone becomes a "MLG QUICK SCOPING PRO" in one day.

Soldier


The soldier is a tough class to kill. He has 200 hp meaning he can survive 1 quickscope headshot and can rocket jump towards you. His rocket launcher packs a punch and he can easily 2 shot you with it. Despite all this, a soldier isn't that hard to kill. Soldier is quite slow on foot, meaning that it is easy to land headshots on him. If possible, charge up your shot so you can kill him one shot.

-Once you spot a soldier, land a quick headshot on him. This will most likely cuase him to panic and make him scramble for a health pack, making him vulnerable.

- If he doesen't die to a quickscope headshot, try a no-scope to finish him off.

-If he lands near you, you will most likely die so be aware if a soldier tries to rocket jump towards you.


-Be aware of soldier sspamming rockets at your area.



Pyro


Pyro is another one of the classes that has enough hp to survive a quicksope headshot. Pyros are dangerous up close as their flamethrower will shred snipers caught in the flames. However, pyros are mostly restricted to close range combat so fighting them at a distance is your best strategy.

-Pyros can easily harass you with flares so keep that in mind when facing a pyro. They can easily chip you with flare damage

- Do not let a pyro flank you. Always be aware of your surroundings

-Just like the soldier, try a no-scope to finish him off he survives your headshot



Demoman


Just like soldier and pyro, the demoman is a beefy class that can survive a quick headshot. A master of explosives, demoman can easily spam grenades and explosives to you and can easily kill you if you don't react. Demoman however are slow like the soldier.

-DO NOT let him spam explosives towards you. The explosives will most likely obscure your vision and stray grenades and stickies will demolish you

- Like the soldier, demoman can easily compensate for his slow movement speed by explosive jumping. He can easily sticky jump onto your location and kill you.

-Like the pyro, fighting him at a distance is a good strategy but you must be able to dodge his incoming rolling grenades.

- Like the soldier and pyro, land a quick headshot on him, and then no-scope to finish him off



Heavy



Heavy is arguably, the class sniper is strongest againts. Heavy is the slowest among all the classes but has a hulking 300 hp to compensate. His minigun will tear apart any enemy in range. This tank like role however, is also the heavy's downfall

-Heavy has 300 hp which means it takes 2 quick-scope headshots to kill him. His slow speed and large size should make, hitting his head a lot easier.

-Heavy's minigun loses its effectiveness at range so fighting at range is recommended

-When you see a heavy, charge up your shot. Take your time to charge as his minigun won't be able to hit you at range. A fully charged shot will down a fully overhealed heavy in 1 shot. If faced with a situation where charging your shot is not effective, 2 quick headshots is also very effective


- Most important tip is NEVER let the heavy get close to you. He will tear you apart so keep that in mind




Engineer



Engineer is a class that usually hangs out at the back of the battlefield. He is usually seen around his buildings which are beneficial to the success of his team. An engineer has 125 hp which means a quick headshot will kill him.


-It is crucial that you kill an engie when you get the chance. Kill the engineer first then destroy his buildings. His sentry can't do anything when you are out of its range.

-Communicate with your team. They can help you locate the sentry gun

-Like all other classes, do not let the engineer get close to you. Even though he is fragile, his shotgun still packs a punch and 2 close range shots from it will kill you.




Medic


See this class? This is a Medic. His job is to heal his teammates and keep them in the fight. What do snipers to medics?

HE SHOOTS THEM IN THEIR ♥♥♥♥♥♥ FACES

-I can't stress how important it is to assasinate the enemy medic. Bodyshot them, headshot them, buldgeon them it doesent matter. When you see the oppurtunity, kill the medic.

-Medics have 150 hp which means a headshot will kill them.

-Good medics will always strafe and move around unpredictably. This makes it harder for you to kill them.

-Medics themselves have no way to counter you. Even with their crossbow, you can simply dodge the crossbow as it moves quite slow. Just don't get in their melee range

Scout:

"Snipe that, ya freakin coward!"



One of the sniper's worst enemies, the scout can use his speed to dodge your shots and get behind and flank. Best way to counter a scout is to jump erratically to dodge his shots while taking no-scope shots at him. If you are at a distance and the scout doesn't spot you, best way to kill him is too try to predict his movements.

Pro Tip: Always look behind you, a scout might have sneaked past you.



Spy:

"You got blood on my suit"


Spies are everyone's worst nightmare. His ability to one hit kill and his stealth abilities are what makes him very dangerous. A lone sniper is a spies favorite target. Best way to handle him is too spot him first. If he manages to sneak up behind you, go for the kukri kill. Spies aren't that tough in direct combat. You will often encounter Ambassodor wielding spies so be aware as they can easily 2 shot you.

Tip: Always check your surroundings. If you dont spot an enemy, don't bother scoping in. Move around a lot and occasionaly turn around to check for anyone sneaking up on you.

Pro tip: You can identify a spy easily by their suspicious movements and TF2 has team "wallhacks" where you can see your team members through walls. A disguised spy will often hide near your spawn which means you can identify teammates suspiciously hiding in a corner.



Sniper:


"You call that snipin?!"



A sniper's greatest enemy is another sniper. Being able to 1v1 another sniper and winning is a crucial skill needed to be able to effectively play sniper.

1. When fighting another sniper, NEVER stay scoped in for too long. A quick headshot will down a sniper( unless they are wearing the shield).

2. If u miss your shot, quickly hide behind cover again. You can also jump or crouch after taking a shot. This makes it harder for the opposing sniper to hit you. I often find the best strategy when dueling an enemy sniper is to bait his shot. Quickly scope in and out to bait him into scoping in and then shooting. After he misses, quickly scope in and headshot him. This technique requires practice but once you get the hang of it, you will find dueling enemy snipers much more easier.

3. The enemy sniper is usually a top priority target for you to kill. When aiming down on an area with lots of enemies, if there is a enemy sniper, take him down first. This makes it easier to focus on your primary objective which is assassinating their medic or picking off other players.

Sniper is the definition of easy to learn, hard to master. Getting good at sniper takes months or even years of practice to achieve godlike aim. I hope that you can use these tips to improve your sniper gameplay and hopefully be able to score headshots flawlessly.



"Snoipin's a good job mate!"

-Mr Mundee, The Sniper








"Lets win this one lads!"

Jungle Inferno Update:

- The Darwins Danger Shield no longer gives headshot resistance

- Now with the addition of jetpacks, pyros now become a real threat to snipers. Always occasionally look up to check for any pyro about to land near you

-It is recommended that the DDS be used in pyro infested servers.